"Mike Jacoubowsky" wrote in message
m...

"Jean" wrote in message
...
I'm looking to replace my old road bike with a carbon fiber model. My
criteria a women's specific design, comfy for all day riding, smooth
riding, light weight, Shimano 105 components, and preferably a triple
crank.

Via the web, I've checked out the specs and reviews for following bikes:
Cannondale (Synapse Fem 5), Felt (ZW5), Giant (Avail Advanced 2), Trek
(Madrone 3.1WSD), or Specialized (Ruby Elite Apex). I was hoping y'all
might have some insights into these bikes so that I could minimize
driving all over the state (there are no local dealers for most of these
brands) to do the final fit check-out and test ride.

So here goes. Assuming equally good fit and tire size/psi - Do any of
these bikes stand out as more smooth riding? Do any of these bikes stand
out as more comfy for all day long cruising? Does anyone have any idea
how the weights compare for the same size bike?

Thanks for any help trying to trim down my list of potential bikes.

Jean

Jean: I can only speak to the Trek Madone, since that's what I sell. The
new Madone 3.1 is a pretty nice machine, and I really like the fact that
it's one of the few that still has real live eyelets on the rear dropouts,
making it easy to attach a rack or fenders. The spacing is wide enough
between the chainstays to easily accomodate a 25c tire (it comes stock
with 23), and has a classic road geometry, nothing so short that you can't
ride it all day comfortably. Trek has been pretty good about keeping
chainstay length reasonable, which helps not just with stability when
descending, but also with shifting as well. I'm not at the shop right now
so I don't have a weigh handy, but it's actually an ounce or two lighter
than the higher-end Madone 4.5.

Keep in mind it's available in a compact-crank version only, no triple. If
you need really low gears, the rear derailleur can be changed to a long
cage version and you can install an 11-32, 11-34 or even an 11-36 in the
back.

Ultimately, what really makes the bike the *right* bike may be finding a
dealer who understands your dreams, how you'd like to ride, and can fit it
properly to you. Fit is *really* important.

Hope this helps-

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com


Thanks for the info. The issue of whether or not the bike can accommodate
wider (25c) tires is important to me, since I think tire size is probably
the major determinant of "comfy riding". If the rear derailleur and
freewheel are changed as you indicated to get lower gearing, is the shifting
likely to be "really annoyingly slow" or would it probably be "just a tad
slow, but acceptable"?

Thanks again

Jean